IPad Most Desirable Holiday Gift For Kids, Teens: Nielsen Survey (PICTURES)

If your six-year-old is being irresolute about what toys he wants for the holidays, the safest bet is probably to buy him an iPad.

Apple's tablet is the most desired tech toy of the next 6 months for all kids, according to a recent survey put out by Nielsen. The firm's research splits up the preferences of 6-to-12-year olds and 12-to-18-year-olds, and on both charts, the iPad was listed as the number-one most-wanted tech gift this holiday season. The iPod Touch and iPhone were also popular with elementary schoolers, while computers and e-readers came in second and third, respectively for teenagers.

Here's a look at the most popular tech gifts for kids age six-to-12, per Nielsen's survey of "kids' holiday gaming and electronics appetites":

And here's the breakdown for teens, age 12-to-18:

Though the desire for e-Readers may be a bit surprising, Apple's continued dominance is the clear takeaway here. The popularity of Apple devices for all age groups led Nielsen to dub this December another "iHoliday: (last year's Nielsen survey yielded similar Apple-heavy results).

This new survey is well-timed. Some overeager shoppers in Florida have already started camping out for Black Friday deals, and several major electronics retailers have outed their Black Friday offerings.

Head over to the Nielsen blog for the full findings from their "U.S. Kids' 2011 Wish Lists" survey.

Comments

[Tunaa Online]

12:22 PM on 12/14/2011

great tips. perhaps i have carried out half or 3/4 of this http://www.ticklemeplant.com/

[Wombi]

01:06 AM on 11/24/2011

I am a strong believer that technology not only makes the learning process much more fun, but it also creates allows a more hands-on experience for kids! If you are interested in other educational products for kids, I would check out our educational apps! :)

Best Regards
Wombi
http://www.wombiapps.com

[wellingtonian]

04:14 AM on 11/21/2011

Wow, when I was a kid it was all skip-its, sky dancers and chatter rings. Could have gotten everything on my wishlist for 10 Christmases for the price of one ipad.

[ringette6666]

01:24 PM on 11/22/2011

very true, kids these days seem to get more and do less for it

[Ivyleaguequaker]

10:46 PM on 11/20/2011

No skateboards, footballs, basketballs.

[LeadTheWay]

02:43 AM on 11/21/2011

Because this was a TECH survey.

[tyrant510]

07:40 PM on 11/20/2011

what would be a better gift would be to take them to the local soup kitchen and help out as a family. wouldn't that be the christian thing to do for christmas?

[kidjudas]

07:34 PM on 11/20/2011

I would bet that the #1 thing kids want is to have both parents give them unlimited time, love, and attention for a year without competing with their parents' jobs, friends, iPhones or indifference. I guess it's a lot easier for some lame parents to buy their kid an iPad than it is to spend a lot of time playing games with them or taking them out for the day.

[frank day]

11:28 AM on 11/20/2011

Sounds more like a list of the #1 things retailers hope you'll buy your kids.

[Ivyleaguequaker]

10:45 PM on 11/20/2011

You nailed it!

[DMSmith]

10:57 PM on 11/19/2011

Kids? KIDS?!
To H*ll with kids. I'm 66 and I want an iPad2 - my original one is SO passé. And my 67 yr old brother wants his first one. Even my 91 yr old mother's expressed some interest...
Damn...tha's almost $2,000 bucks!! (before selling my original on Criagslist)

[AllyCat7]

11:35 AM on 11/19/2011

Spoiled brats.

[Draekia]

07:23 PM on 11/20/2011

They're kids. What do you expect? "What I really want is anew textbook and further training so I can be a better student." ??

Everyone wants nice things, kids are just vocal about it.

[Francis 3]

09:00 PM on 11/20/2011

WANTING an iPad makes them a kid. GETTING an iPad makes them a spoiled brat.

Who do you think makes that happen?

[bessielil]

10:13 AM on 11/19/2011

Sigh. For a similar price, one could buy a new stove or washing machine and give kids the box. I'd like to give my kids imagination for Xmas.

[nfatt1]

09:36 AM on 11/19/2011

This is just wacky, they will tire of the 800 dollar toy by the end of the day and the next day say they have nothing to do.

[Draekia]

07:24 PM on 11/20/2011

Yep. They're kids. Although I assume it'd take longer to tire of it. They can always do something else with it. (new games? FB? etc?)

[earto44]

07:52 AM on 11/19/2011

I have a disturbed teen. He keeps asking me when he can drive the car, go see some band called "OFF!" and "borrow the car to show is girlfriend" for Christmas.

What's a parent to do ?

[Tyrone Luckett]

03:33 AM on 11/19/2011

My son is eight and my daughter is six and both of them play with my IPAD. I will buy the IPad 2 give them my old one.

[Scott Kane]

02:26 AM on 11/19/2011

Yeah sorry no high tech gadgets just for the kids (not that the wife and I have any yet)...they can play with mine ;) and I'll begrudgingly buy them video game consoles like PS4 when they're old enough.

[chedet]

01:24 AM on 11/19/2011

Just because they want it doesn't mean adults should give it to them.